Nissan is joining the trend for driverless car tech. At the Geneva Motor Show bosses confirmed a semi-autonomous "Piloted Drive' Qashqai will launch next year as part of a model facelift.

The Brit-built Qashqai will be equipped with Piloted Drive autonomous driving tech 'version 1.0' as of next year, forming part of a full model update with revised looks and new cabin tech. The system will allow autonomous driving in heavy traffic on motorways or A-roads.

For the time being, Piloted Drive 1.0 won't allow driverless lane changes like Tesla's system, but Nissan will launch "multiple-lane control" some time in the next four years. The brand is committed to offering the tech on "mainsteam, mass-market cars at affordable prices".

The march for autonomy will see a full range of Nissan models with the tech installed by 2020. Alongside this announcement, the Japanese brand has showcased two new Premium Concept versions of the X-Trail and Qashqai.

The Nissan Premium Concept models get upmarket styling details such as carbon-fibre add-ons, 20-inch alloys and new grille designs. Nissan promises a wider scope for personalisation, although there's no production confirmation yet.

But what's the point? A qualified driver is still required to sit in the driver's seat. All infra red and camera sensors are limited by rain/fog/mist so you will only see them driven 'hands free' when the sun shines.

It wasn't long ago we were told that the car would be obsolete because we would all be commuting by mini personal gyrocopters.

Its another fad whereby big companies have scammed the govt by insisting 'its the future'. Next thing we'll be told is the diesel engine is environment friendly......oops they've already tried that one.

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